12 Things I Wish I Could Tell Myself After High School Graduation

I want to challenge you to change your perspective. You look at the world through the lens of what you lack. Because you do this, you are blinded to the abundance of gifts God has given you.

As long as you are controlled by insecurity, you are a slave to the opinions of others. And you will stop at nothing to please others. Don’t be that person.

Rest in the man God created you to be. Until you do, comparison will drive you down dark roads. And the unique purpose God has for your life will go to waste.

8.) You do not have it all figured out.

18-year-old Frank, you think you have all the answers to life. No one can tell you anything you don’t already know. You throw out opinions that don’t line up with yours. This is dangerous.

Listen to people older than you. Accept rebuke from people. Believe it or not, you aren’t always right. Surround yourself with people that are smarter and wiser than you … and learn from them.

9.) Don’t worry about the things you can’t control.

Career, future wife and family, school, football. Between all of these, almost every second of your life is filled with worry and stress. The unknown is hard. I get that. But believe me, God takes care of it.

You should see your amazing wife and kids. I won’t show you a picture. Just know your wife is smokin’ hot. Surprisingly, she loves you despite your faults. And she loves God more than she loves you.

You should see your kids. No, I won’t tell you if they are boys or girls. But know they are amazing (and smart). They get it from their mom.

And 18-year-old Frank. You will never guess the career path God has chosen for you. Man, I want to tell you so bad. But I won’t. Just know it will make you laugh, and it will remind you God is ultimately in control of your life.

10.) Stop cussing so much.

You believe it is funny and cool. And I know what you are thinking. The Bible doesn’t specifically address cussing. That’s a fair point.

It is not as much that cussing is right or wrong, it is that you think you have to do it to fit in and be liked. You know this is not who you are.

Clean up your language.

11.) Take up golf. And stop saying “Bro.”

I do not need to explain this one. You suck at golf. Start practicing now.

And while we are discussing random things you need to change, stop saying “bro” so much. It’s a hard habit to shake. People think you are a hipster from California. And you know what hipsters in California do? Right. You don’t want that label.

12.) Give everything to God! He is worth it!

This is really why I traveled back in time to have this conversation with you.

You are buying a lie, 18-year-old Frank. You believe following God robs you of fun. You think following God equals a boring life full of rules. Part of this is the fault of your Christian culture. I apologize on their behalf.